A Maryland MAN was arrested for setting fire to a Domino’s after he was observed breaking into a vehicle at a nearby auto repair shop, according to officials.
George W. Cook, 59, set fire to the back of a Domino’s store in Westminster, Maryland, on Saturday morning after a witness noticed him breaking into vehicles at Superior Car Care on Manchester Ave., according to the Office of State Fire Marshal . .
The Westminster Fire Department and surrounding departments responded about 6:30 a.m. Saturday to the 400 block of Baltimore Blvd. to a reported building fire.
Firefighters arrived on scene and found a fire in the back of Domino’s. They contained the fire within minutes and asked the state fire marshal’s office to investigate.
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George W. Cook, 59, is accused of setting a fire in the back of a Domino’s store. (Maryland State Fire Marshal)
As investigators investigated the cause of the fire, the witness who saw Cook break into vehicles at the auto repair shop reported his observation to investigators.
A trooper assisting investigators responded immediately and found Cook entering a vehicle. The trooper arrested Cook, who officials learned had been arrested by Westminster Police in recent weeks for setting small fires within the city limits.
The previous fires were similar to how the fire at Domino’s was ignited, including placing feces in bags or boxes and setting those items on fire.
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The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal was asked to investigate the Domino’s fire. (Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal)
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Amid the investigation, a Domino’s manager told deputy fire marshals that Cook had entered the store earlier in the week, become belligerent and kicked over a trash can when he was instructed to leave after employees refused to give him the free food he had requested. .
Cook was charged with second-degree arson, first- and second-degree malicious burning and malicious destruction of property over $1,000. He was also charged by the Westminster Police Department with larceny and vagrancy and theft under $100.
He is detained at Carroll County Detention Center.